Fair Haven's Police Officer of the Year

Fair Haven Police Patrolman William "Billy" Lagrotteria has a knack with kids that has made people take notice.

He is a leader and mentor for the Fair Haven Police Explorers program. He works the D.A.R.E. program in the schools. He is an assistant coach for football and track at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School. And he is an officer who mediates between parents and kids when kids get in trouble and find themselves in the Monmouth County Court system in Freehold. He is known for doing it all, and very effectively, Chief Darryl Breckenridge said.

The 26-year-old juvenile officer with seven years on the job also has an excellent record on the road, the chief added. The exemplary skills combined are what ended up garnering Lagrotteria, a Fair Haven native, the distinction as Fair Haven's Officer of the Year.

Flanked by a crowd of family, friends, coaches, residents and fellow officers, Lagrotteria received a proclamation stating why he won the honor for 2013 and a plaque.

Take a look at the video above for a glimpse into the moment. Congrats to Patrolman Lagrotteria! Please feel free to offer your congratulations in the comments section below.